Braintree (21-1, 42 points) was led by a stellar performance from a trio of lefthanded pitchers. Tim Troup, Nate Koneski and Marc Doyle combined to pitch six innings, allowing zero runs on only two hits. The lefties struck out eight batters.

“We’re trying to keep arms fresh, so we had to kind of piece things together tonight,” said Braintree manager P.J. Thompson. “But each guy came in and looked good.”

The White Sox have dominated the Cranberry League all season long and now own a 14-point lead over the second-place Easton Huskies. This level of success has come to be expected of a team seeking its fifth consecutive league title.

“The approach is different every year,” Thompson said. “But the goal is always the same – keep winning and get to the Long Island World Series.”

Rockland (11-9, 22 points) kept it close all game and threatened to tie Braintree in the bottom of the seventh.

Entering the final inning down 3-0, Rockland rallied to score two runs with one out but could not tie it up.

“It was nice to get something going there at the end,” Rockland manager John Colitti said. “I’m proud of my guys. There’s no quit in them.”

Rockland’s starting pitcher, Jordan Jenkins, kept the Cardinals in the game. Through five innings, Braintree had scored only one run. Ultimately, Jenkins pitched into the sixth, allowing three runs on five hits, and striking out three.

“Jenkins went longer than I expected tonight,” Colitti said. “He wouldn’t let me take him out of the game. And he did a phenomenal job.”

Matt Hamlet doubled down the right-field line in the top of the first inning to drive in Braintree’s first run. He drove in his team’s second run, too, with a single to left in the sixth.

Jordan Enos’ sacrifice fly in the sixth made it 3-0.

“Tonight we needed timely hitting,” Thompson said. “You’d always love to score seven runs in the first, but we hit in spurts, and tonight it was enough.”

Braintree’s pitchers benefited from solid defense behind them. Shortstop Matt Kelly made two nice plays, diving to his right in the second inning and to his left in the fourth, each time throwing the runner out at first.

All-star left fielder Sean Keady tracked down a deep fly ball and made a running catch with one on and one out in the second.

“Our defense has gotten better,” said Thompson. “Matt Kelly has been fantastic. Everyone’s really starting to come together out there.”

Braintree looks to continue its winning ways next Tuesday at home against the Quincy Phillies. With only a few weeks remaining in the regular season, the White Sox are already preparing for the playoffs.

“We always try to make sure we peak at the right time,” Thompson said. “And right now, we’re starting to look like a real good baseball team out there.”